[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 57 (Friday, March 26, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16130-16133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06236]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0192; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01580-T]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Airbus SAS (Airbus) Model A318 series airplanes; Model 
A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, and -153N 
airplanes; Model A320 series airplanes; and Model A321 series 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed 
AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations, as specified in a European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by 
reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 10, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For material that will be incorporated by reference (IBR) in this 
AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; 
telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet 
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR material on the EASA website 
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this IBR material at the 
FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available in 
the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0192.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0192; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, 
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3223; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0192; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2020-01580-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
the proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR

[[Page 16131]]

11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this proposed AD.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to 
Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, 
WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3223; email [email protected]. 
Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically 
designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this 
rulemaking.

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0219, dated October 12, 2020 
(EASA AD 2020-0219) (also referred to as the mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for all Airbus Model A318 series; Model A319-111, -112, -113, 
, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, and -153N; Model A320-211, -212, -214, 
-215, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -
273N airplanes; and Model A321 series airplanes. EASA AD 2020-0219 
states that Airbus has published new and more restrictive tasks to be 
incorporated into the airworthiness limitations section of the aircraft 
maintenance program. According to EASA, failure to accomplish these 
tasks could result in an unsafe condition.
    This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that the new and 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. Some of the 
subject tasks in EASA AD 2020-0219 are also required by EASA AD 2020-
0067, which prompted FAA AD 2020-22-16, Amendment 39-21312 (85 FR 
70439, November 5, 2020) (AD 2020-22-16). The requirements in EASA AD 
2020-0219 invalidate prior instructions for those tasks. This proposed 
AD would therefore terminate (invalidate) the corresponding 
requirements of AD 2020-22-16, for tasks 213100-00001-1-C, 213100-
00001-2-C, and 213100-00001-3-C, as identified in the service 
information referred in EASA AD 2020-0219 only.
    EASA AD 2020-0219 refers to Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 
Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Part 3 Variation 7.1, dated 
June 10, 2020. Because airplanes with an original airworthiness 
certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued 
after June 10, 2020, must comply with the airworthiness limitations 
specified as part of the approved type design, this proposed AD would 
not apply to those airplanes. Also, Model A320-215 airplanes are not 
certificated by the FAA and are not included on the U.S. type 
certificate; therefore, this proposed AD would not apply to that model 
airplane. The FAA is proposing this AD to address a safety-significant 
latent failure (that is not annunciated), which, in combination with 
one or more other specific failures or events, could result in a 
hazardous or catastrophic failure condition. See the MCAI for 
additional background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2020-0219 specifies new and more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations for certain safety valves. This material is reasonably 
available because the interested parties have access to it through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that 
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop 
on other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations, which are specified in EASA AD 
2020-0219 described previously, as incorporated by reference.
    This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). 
Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For 
airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in 
the areas addressed by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able 
to accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph 
(j)(1) of this proposed AD.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA initially worked with Airbus and EASA to develop a 
process to use certain EASA ADs as the primary source of information 
for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has 
since coordinated with other manufacturers and civil aviation 
authorities to use this process. As a result, EASA AD 2020-0219 would 
be incorporated by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD 
would, therefore, require compliance with certain paragraphs of EASA AD 
2020-0219, through that incorporation.
    Service information specified in EASA AD 2020-0219 that is required 
for compliance with EASA AD 2020-0219 will be available on the internet 
at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0192 after the FAA final rule is published.

Airworthiness Limitation ADs Using the New Process

    The FAA's process of incorporating by reference MCAIs as the 
primary source of information for compliance with corresponding FAA ADs 
has been limited to certain MCAIs (primarily those with service 
bulletins as the primary source of information for accomplishing the 
actions required by the FAA AD). However, the FAA is now expanding the 
process to include MCAIs that require a change to airworthiness 
limitation documents, such as airworthiness limitation sections.
    For these ADs that incorporate by reference an MCAI that changes 
airworthiness limitations, the FAA requirements are unchanged. 
Operators

[[Page 16132]]

must revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate the information specified in the new 
airworthiness limitation document. The airworthiness limitations must 
be followed according to 14 CFR 91.403(c) and 91.409(e).
    The previous format of the airworthiness limitation ADs included a 
paragraph that specified that no alternative actions (e.g., 
inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions and intervals 
are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in 
accordance with the procedures specified in the AMOCs paragraph under 
``Other FAA Provisions.'' This new format includes a ``Provisions for 
Alternative Actions and Intervals'' paragraph that does not 
specifically refer to AMOCs, but operators may still request an AMOC to 
use an alternative action or interval.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 1,680 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the 
following costs to comply with this proposed AD.
    The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator. The 
agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator to operator. 
Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program changes 
for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-operator 
estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate. Therefore, the 
agency estimates the average total cost per operator would be $7,650 
(90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. 
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight 
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA has determined that this proposed AD would not have 
federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 
would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the 
relationship between the national Government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13   [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

Airbus SAS: Docket No. FAA-2021-0192; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-
01580-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by May 10, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2020-22-16, Amendment 39-21312 (85 FR 70439, 
November 5, 2020) (AD 2020-22-16).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following Airbus SAS airplanes, 
certificated in any category, with an original airworthiness 
certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued 
on or before June 10, 2020:
    (1) Model A318-111, -112, -121, and -122 airplanes;
    (2) Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -
151N, and -153N airplanes;
    (3) Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -
252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; and
    (4) Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -
251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, 
and -272NX airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address a safety-significant latent failure (that 
is not annunciated), which, in combination with one or more other 
specific failures or events, could result in a hazardous or 
catastrophic failure condition.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Requirements

    Revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, by incorporating task(s) and associated thresholds and 
intervals specified in paragraph (3) of European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2020-0219, dated October 12, 2020 (EASA AD 
2020-0219), except you are required to incorporate task(s) and 
associated thresholds and intervals within 90 days after the 
effective date of this AD. Record a compliance time for the initial 
tasks of either the applicable ``thresholds'' incorporated by the 
requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2020-0219 or 90 days after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever would occur later.

(h) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been 
revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative 
actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless they 
are approved as specified in the provisions of the ``Ref. 
Publications'' section of EASA AD 2020-0219.

(i) Terminating Action for Certain Requirements of AD 2020-22-16

    Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates the 
corresponding requirements of AD 2020-22-16, for the tasks 
identified in the service information referred in EASA AD 2020-0219 
only.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending

[[Page 16133]]

information directly to the Large Aircraft Section, International 
Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified 
in paragraph (k)(2) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify 
your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal 
inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district 
office/certificate holding district office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Large Aircraft 
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus 
SAS's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the 
DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    (3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by 
paragraph (j)(2) of this AD, if any service information contains 
procedures or tests that are identified as RC, those procedures and 
tests must be done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests 
that are not identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and 
tests that are not identified as RC may be deviated from using 
accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or 
inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided 
the procedures and tests identified as RC can be done and the 
airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. Any 
substitutions or changes to procedures or tests identified as RC 
require approval of an AMOC.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For information about EASA AD 2020-0219, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 
8999 000; email [email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You 
may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this material at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. This material may be 
found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2021-0192.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Sanjay Ralhan, 
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax 206-231-3223; email [email protected].

    Issued on March 18, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-06236 Filed 3-25-21; 8:45 am]
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